Nice reunion! Hopefully that is all the angst...or is an escaped Rancor from the zoo going to come crashing down the tunnels? I am ready for the adoption to be complete and then some mushy L/M action. Nice update!

~33~The timing of the New Republic was perfect. Not two minutes after Luke’s reunion with Ami they contacted him via commlink to ask where he was. Luke quickly explained what had happened and requested a medical unit. Hawk wouldn’t let anyone near him to care for his maimed hand and had to be sedated. His severed fingers had been packed into a small pocket-sized cooling unit so they might be able to be re-attached later. Mara was torn thinking she may have scarred a young man for life, but knew she had acted in defense of Luke and Ami.

The teenage girl was in far worse shape. She had taken both a hard blow to the back of her head and a blaster shot to her midsection. Clearly she had been fighting Hawk over something, and he had shot her.

Even more puzzling than the teenagers’ injuries was Ami’s worry about her. She kept throwing worried glances to the older girl, then burying her face back in Luke’s shoulder. Mara thought it just may have been worry over whether she was going to be hurt again, but Luke sensed concern.

Shortly before the New Republic arrived, the girl’s eyes fluttered. “Am…” her voice faded into a moan of agony.

Ami lifted her head and peered at the older girl. “Mina?”

Luke raised his eyebrows and exchanged a glance with Mara. At least they knew the girl’s name now. “Mina? Is that your name?”

Mina forced her bleary eyes open for a bare moment, winced, and nodded before closing them again. She was in horrible pain. “Where…where’s Ami? Is she…” another flash of pain stole her voice.

“She’s fine,” said Mara shortly. “What about you? How’d you manage to get yourself shot?”

“Ha…Hawk…he was….” Mina grasped her middle. “He was gonna kill her.”

“Ami?” asked Luke. His blood chilled when Ami held to him a little tighter.

Mara frowned. “Wait a minute. Are you saying he shot you instead of Ami?”

Tears formed in Mina’s eyes. She nodded. “I…couldn’t let him…she’s just a kid…”

Luke let out a long, slow breath. The pieces of the puzzle were finally starting to come together. Apparently Hawk had tried to kill Ami, but Mina had tackled him down and ended up being shot herself.

Mara was a little more skeptical. “Hold on. Weren’t you the one who let the kidnappers into the orphanage in the first place?”

Mina looked away in shame.

“So, why would you want to save the hostage?” asked Mara.

“She...she’s too much like…like Abbi,” explained Mina through her tears.

“Abbi?” Luke asked in confusion.

“My little sister…” Mina winced at the pain her tears were bringing, but was determined to explain herself. “She died…a long time ago…Ami’s so much like her-“ the young woman’s voice broke, and she wept hard.

Mara’s cheeks burned momentarily. She sighed and shook her head. She would never be as optimistic as Luke.

Luke, meanwhile, was nodding slowly. The fractured puzzle was slowly being re-assembled, and the untold part of the story was taking shape. There were many more unanswered questions, but in the meantime Luke had someone to express his gratitude to. Mina had clearly saved Ami’s life. He crouched down while still holding Ami put a hand on Mina’s shoulder. “Easy. I think you understand what Ami means to me. Thank you, Mina.”

Mina opened her tear-filled eyes and let out a shuddering sigh. She watched Mara look up and walk down the corridor and heard a chorus of voices approach. The teenager turned back to Luke. “I…I guess I’m going to jail, right?”

Luke glanced behind him. “You saved Ami’s life. That might make a difference in the ruling…just hold on.”

Mina nodded, suddenly tired. She didn’t know what it was about the blue-eyed Jedi, but there was something about him that made it seem silly to fear him. He was a fearsome fighter, but also a very kind and compassionate man. Her final thought before passing out was that the Hawkbats had been wrong about the Jedi. Dead wrong. Jedi weren’t perfect, but neither were they the false wizards Hawk had made them out to be.

* * * * *

The New Republic had much to do after they emerged from the mines with seven gang members- two of which were injured –two Jedi, and the little girl who had attracted so much attention over the past few days. The first order of business was, of course, to treat the wounded. Hawk and Mina were taken directly to the nearest medical center. Mina would undergo several days of bacta treatments and Hawk’s fingers would be reattached before they were sent to holding cells to await their trial.

Ami was brought to the same facility to be sure she was all right. Luke shuddered as they discussed what conditions she had been kept in, but was very relived that her physical recovery this time would be shorter than it had been before. Her emotional and mental health, however, was going to take much longer.

On the way out of the medical center, Luke was surprised to see Ambassador Fereen arrive with a full escort. He looked frantic with worry and nearly plowed right into Luke, Ami, and Mara.

The graying man jumped back apologetically. “Oh! I’m sorry, Master Skywalker. How is Ami? Is she all right?”

Luke nodded even as Ami held him in a chokehold. “She’ll be fine.”

Fereen seemed relieved but still very distracted. “I’m so glad to hear that…and to see you two back together. If any orphan ever deserved a loving family, she does.” He glanced at Mara and the way she and Luke were holding hands and gave a knowing look before looking over Luke’s shoulders. “I’m sure you’ll be wanting to get back to the orphanage to settle everything, but…I’m wondering Master Skywalker, what do you know about the female gang member- I mean the one who was injured. I hear she saved Ami’s life.”

While confused about Fereen’s sudden interest, Luke again nodded. “Yes, she did. Her name is Mina.”

A look of shock came into Fereen’s drawn face. He looked almost afraid to resurrect the long-dead hope of…something. He blinked back something from his eyes. “Mina? Did…did she mention a…a younger sister?”

“Yes,” said Mara slowly. She wondered if Fereen knew Mina…

“Oh-“ Fereen’s face was transfigured. Tears filled his eyes and he covered his face, caught between joy and sorrow. “I thought…I was almost afraid…but she’s alive?”

Luke’s nod was slower this time. He had a feeling he knew why Fereen was crying, and why he had come here in the first place. “Yes. The medics say she should be all right.”

Fereen looked skyward as if in thanks and looked for a moment as if he might plow right through the gathering medics and NRSF personnel. “Oh. Thank you, Master Skywalker! Thank you so much for finding her! You see, Mina is my daughter.”

Mara’s jaw dropped in shock while Luke just smiled and nodded. He remembered Fereen’s interest in Ami and his story of the lost daughter.“She ran away years ago, after….after Abbi died.“ Fereen explained hurriedly. “Please excuse me, Master Skywalker. “And with that he ran flat-out down the hallway, his aides struggling to keep up.

Luke blinked his own stinging eyes and held Ami a little tighter before turning to walk toward the door.

Mara was in a state of shock. “Whoa…”

“Another family back together.” Luke squeezed her hand. By the way, you never answered my question, he added.

Mara smirked. So you think being shot at is romantic?

No. But I would like an answer. Luke raised his eyebrows.

Mara already knew what her answer was going to be, but decided to make Luke sweat a little. Wait till we get the rugrat taken care of. I’ll tell you then.

Luke’s smile faded, but he nodded in agreement. Waiting another few hours wasn’t going to kill him.

As they went out the door and dodged the descending media with the help of New Republic Security, Ami unexpectedly lifted her head from Luke’s shoulder. “How did you find me?”

Her soon-to-be-father smiled at her. “You remember talking to me? You remember when I said I was going to find you?”

Ami nodded. “I ‘fought I wath dreamin’.”

“Well, you weren’t dreaming. You were using the Force to talk to me,” said Luke.

“I wath?” asked Ami with wide eyes.

“Yes, you were. You’ve got the Force in you, Ami,” he explained.

“I do?” Ami seemed in shock over the news. Finally she lowered her head back down to Luke’s shoulder. “Wow.”

* * * *The intergalactic news media could be held back no longer. They clustered around the entrance like a swarm of myrmins, holocams and sound recorders held at the ready. After signing the final document that made Ami his daughter, Luke stood in the lobby with the two girls he loved most on each hand and took a deep breath. For the barest second he was tempted to direct their attention elsewhere with the Force, but didn’t want to set a bad example to Ami. You couldn’t use the Force to get out of everything.

Mara looked like she had her own idea what to do with the reporters but her green eyes said plainly that she wasn’t going to go out separately just to avoid a few holocams.

The full, formal escort of four New Republic officers clustered around the trio. They were to clear a path and keep them safe from any danger. The lead officer turned back to look at Luke. “Any time you’re ready, Master Skywalker.”

Luke felt Mara squeeze his hand and Ami wrap her arms around his thigh. The warm feelings that resulted made him smile and nod at the officer. “All right. Here goes.”

The doors were opened. All at once the reporters closed in as far as they could, aimed their holocams, and yelled out questions.

Luke quickly picked up Ami and followed the NRSF through the noisy crowd. Ami looked around fearfully for a few minutes before hiding her face in Luke’s shoulder. Luke sent thoughts of calm to her and ignored every single question. The reporters were left only with the image of a frightened little girl clinging to her new father, a green-eyed mystery woman who just barely kept her impatience in check, and the same serene, quiet Jedi Master they’d always known.

Without further ado Luke, Mara, and Ami were escorted out to a waiting speeder and driven directly to the spaceport. There they had another group of reporters to wade through and had to part company at their respective ships. (Artoo had been taken back to Luke’s ship already) Mara stood on the loading ramp of the Jade’s Fire and willingly stepped into Luke’s embrace.

“Will I see you back at Coruscant?” asked Luke quietly.

“Don’t think so,” said Mara. “Karrde so much as told me to finish what I started after I saved your backside or I’d be hauling his vornskers’ chew toys for a month.” She saw his sad face and raised her eyebrows. “Hey, don’t give me those sad-Ewok eyes. I’ll be by to see you two as soon as I can, all right?”

“All right.” Luke chuckled. So when am I going to get an answer to my question?

Mara’s expression went from joking to completely serious. Without warning she pulled Luke into a warm, strong, passionate kiss. The kiss stopped when Ami wrapped her arms around both of their legs.

Luke had to clear his throat, as the kiss had left him rather breathless and nearly cross-eyed. Can I assume that was a ‘yes’?

I’m not letting you get away from me this time, Farmboy. It’s insane and makes absolutely so sense, but…yes. Mara gave a sly smile. But if you think you’re going to get away without at least getting a ring, I’ll strangle you.

Luke had to laugh. I’d be afraid not to.

Ami, ever sensitive to Luke’s moods, lifted her head and looked from Luke to Mara with a slight smile. “What’th tho funny?”

Should we tell her now? Luke glanced at Mara with his blue eyes shining.

Mara shrugged. Might as well. She’s going to find out sooner or later.

Luke grinned. “Well…Ami, Mara and I will be getting married. That means she’ll be your Mommy.” He ignored the flinch Mara gave at the term ‘mommy’.

Ami’s eyes lit up and she looked from Luke to Mara. Tears returned to her big blue eyes. She smiled and hugged Mara…then she giggled…then, for the very first time, Ami let out a laugh of pure joy.

Ami’s childish laughter was contagious. Before long Luke had joined in, and soon after, Mara. The three just stood there, a cocoon of love around the little girl.

Luke felt like dancing. His happiness shot into overdrive. Ami was safe and she was finally going to be coming home with him for good, and the most beautiful, feisty woman in the galaxy had agreed to be his wife. On top of that, a broken planet was on its’ way to recovery and a broken family was back together.

CurtisZidaneZiraa: Glad you like it!Jade_Eyes: A squee and a swoon? Awesome! Hazel: Yay!Book-Geek: No, it's not over yet...not really. I've still got an epilogue to put up. Sequel? Hmm...not quite, but I do have more adventures planned for Luke, Mara, and Ami. ccp: Thanks for reading!Lady_Misty: You're welcome!

Well, in breaking with tradition, I'm going to wait to post the Epilogue...today!

Waves crashed quietly on the endless white-sand beach. Not another soul was in sight. The only sounds heard were the cry of the seabirds, the tootling of a droid, and the giggles of a little girl.

Ami, dressed in a cute blue swimsuit that matched her eyes, was playing tag with Luke. He certainly wasn’t acting like a Jedi Master as he chased his daughter around the tall sandcastle they had built together, making faces and making her shriek with delight. Mara smiled as she watched the two of them.

Much had happened in the year since Ami’s adoption. Mynce was well on their way to being a thriving planet again, but the rebuilding of both trust and commerce in the South would take years.

There were many tears when Fereen was reunited with Mina. He was furious knowing that she had been in the orphanage not long ago. Since it had been over three years since her disappearance, Mina had not showed up in the orphanage’s computer system. Fereen vowed to change the system to keep any other missing children from falling through the cracks. He kept in regular communication with Luke and was always wanting to know how Ami was.

Thanks to physical and emotional therapy, Ami had gone from a frightened little girl to a healthy, active, sweet child. It had not been an easy recovery. Falling behind in her physical therapy and being kidnapped and subsequently abused was not an easy thing to get over. For months the little girl was plagued with nightmares and had a deep-seated fear of teenagers…especially teenage boys. While still shy around strangers, Ami could be around them without bursting into tears and could say ‘hello’ with a smile.

Comparatively speaking the physical healing was far easier. Ami attacked physical therapy with such gusto and determination that Luke had to hold her back at times. Now, both arms were equally strong. She could even swing on a lowhanging tree branch or a chin-up bar and was teaching herself to stand on her hands.

The Solo family had welcomed Ami into the family in a way only a Solo could. As time went on Ami began taking mischief lessons from Jacen and Jaina. Mara wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing.

Mara was uncertain what the Solo’s feelings about her would be. To her surprise she was welcomed into the family almost as enthusiastically as Ami had been. The kids were especially happy about it. “We get a cousin AND an aunt? Astral!” Jacen had crowed when hearing about the engagement. To Mara’s annoyance Leia had at first tried to micro-manage details of the wedding. Somehow both Mara and Luke were able to convince his sister that they wanted a small, family-only ceremony with a few of Luke’s former students and Mara’s smuggling friends. Their engagement had been a mere six months.

Mara found that being a wife to Luke Skywalker was a challenge in and of itself. The sharing of thoughts made communication pretty easy, but there were times that Mara needed to be alone to sort things out. That wasn’t easy with Ami being clingy and Luke always trying to fix everything. But Luke’s other quirks more than made up for his faults. The biggest problem was finding enough alone time after Ami had gone to bed.

Being a mom was a different can of worms. Unlike Luke, Mara did not have a natural affinity for kids. She grew impatient or annoyed more easily than he did and had consequently lost her temper. Under Luke’s patient guidance she was learning, but wondered if she was ever going to get the hang of this ‘mom’ thing.

I’d better, thought Mara, looking down at her middle. Lately her stomach had been bothering her and she was more emotional than usual…among other things. A trip to the medics just the other day had confirmed her suspicions. She knew it was only a matter of time until Luke found out, but Mara wanted to wait until she had gotten used to the idea first before telling him.

They were at the beach today to celebrate Ami’s homecoming. Ami have never seen an ocean before and she spent hours dodging the waves, making sandcastles, and collecting shells. Presently she chased Luke back to the beach blanket, where said Jedi master faked an exaggerated fall to his knees. He turned to Mara with a look of pleading. “Help! There’s a giant crab after me!”

Mara raised her eyebrows as the ‘crab’ ran up to them. “Wasn’t the chase game your idea?”

Luke gave a crooked smile. “Turning into different animals wasn’t. Oof!” Luke fell face-first onto the beach blanket as Ami tackled him from behind.

“The crab gotcha!” crowed Ami, sitting on Luke’s back.

“A crab, huh?” Mara smirked. “Where did you get that idea?”

Ami just giggled, then grabbed onto Luke’s shoulder as he inched up on his elbows.

“Want to show Mom what you found?” Luke asked, digging in the pocket of his blue and yellow swim trunks. Mara had never submitted to being called ‘mommy’. ‘Mom’ was her preferred title. Despite this, she was even more protective of Ami than Luke was, earning her plenty of teasing from her co-workers.

“Uh-huh!” Ami hopped off of Luke’s back, waited until her father had given her was what in his pocket, and then carried it over to Mara, blonde pigtails bouncing. “See?”

Mara took the treasure in her hand and looked it over carefully. The spiral shell was rather a rather dull mottled gray on the outside, while inside it had a beautiful pearly green finish. Mara smiled. “Wow. That’s pretty. What is it?”

“Daddy says it’s a crab shell,” said Ami, turning to look up at Luke.

Luke nodded and came up behind Ami. “She asked what a crab was and when I told her, she decided she wanted to be one.”

Mara leaned forward to get to her feet but felt something rising in the back of her throat. She closed her eyes and covered her mouth, not wanting to throw up.

Immediately Ami dropped Mara’s hand and frowned. “Mom?”

Luke sat down on the blanket beside Mara and put his arm around her shoulders. “You all right?”

Mara nodded, leaning back to her previous position. “Fine.”

Luke didn’t believe her for a minute, but didn’t wasn’t to push the issue. Mara hated when people fussed over her health.

Ami tiptoed up to her parents and meekly folded her hands behind her back. “Is Mom okay?” she asked in her tiny voice.

Mara forced a smile. “Mom’s fine.”

“Mom just feels a little sick,” explained Luke. “Go ahead and play.”

“But aren’t you comin?” asked Ami sadly.

“Not this time, sweetheart. I’m just going to stay with Mom for a while.” Luke gave Mara a pointed look, saying that he was going to find out what was wrong. He ignored Mara’s consequent frown.

“Oh.” Ami’s face fell, then she sat down on the blanket. “Den I’ll stay wif Mom, too.” She had almost outgrown her lisp but still couldn’t pronounce the ‘th’ sound.

“No, you go ahead and play,” said Mara quickly.

Ami got up, but hesitated, biting her lip.

Luke glanced at his wife and figured that she wanted to talk to him but not with Ami within earshot. “Go on, Ami. It’s okay. We’ll be right here.”

Ami finally shrugged and ran off to play ‘tag with the waves.

Mara let out a sigh and leaned against Luke tiredly. Where does she get all that energy?

Luke smiled briefly. Han told me they siphon off ours. His smile faded and he turned to face Mara. Don’t strangle me, but you’ve been feeling like this for a while now. Are you all right?

Mara pursed her lips. I told you, Farmboy. I’m fine. She watched Ami laughing and playing in the waves and unexpectedly felt her eyes sting. She wondered if she was doing a good enough job as a mother. If she failed taking care of a little girl, how could she hope to care for a helpless baby?

You’re doing fine, assured Luke.

Mara gave him a dirty look. Stay out of my mind, Skywalker.

Sorry. Luke sighed. You’re worried about something. What’s wrong?

A lump rose in Mara’s throat. She fought to keep her emotions to herself. She wasn’t ready for Luke to know yet.

What are you afraid of? Luke wanted to know. His blue eyes were full of love and patience as he rubbed her shoulders.

Mara let out an audible groan. I give up. She grabbed Luke’s hand and put it over her middle. That’s what I’m afraid of.

Luke was confused, but closed his eyes and reached through the Force for what was bothering Mara. When he felt the tiniest spark of life, his eyes flew open and a huge grin spread across his face. Soon the grin faded into a look of confusion. What’s so frightening about a baby?

Easy for you to say. You aren’t the one who’s going to be carrying the kid around for nine months! Mara sighed and gazed at her husband helplessly, then turned to look at Ami. Taking care of Ami is one thing. She can practically take care of herself. This kid, on the other hand, is going to be completely helpless. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to make it through nine months of getting sick and then getting fat.

Luke sighed and wrapped both arms around her. It’s all right. We’ll figure this out together. He turned and kissed her. You’ll do just fine.

Feeling the optimism, hope, and utter joy that emanated from Luke, Mara fought a smile and shook her head at him. When will you stop being so optimistic about everything?

Never. Luke chuckled. He sighed happily, knowing that he was holding both his beautiful wife and a new life in his arms. Together they turned to look at Ami get sprayed by ocean foam and shriek. Want to tell her now or later?

Might as well get it over with…Mara got to her feet. Hand in hand she and Luke walked up to Ami to tell her the news.